Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I accept the Minister of State's point. I do not expect there would be full attendance at every board meeting. For an urgent decision it might not be possible to have everyone in attendance, and an attendance of five would be fine in that case. However, on a vital or very important issue, where a cutback in an area is being announced, it is vital for everyone concerned to have as near to a full board attendance as possible.

In the case of a member being absent who wishes to have his or her vote recorded on an issue, for example, a member who is in hospital, is there any facility for proxy voting?